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🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during talks with UN Secretary-General candidate Michelle Bachelet (Moscow, June 8, 2026)
💬 I would like to reiterate our full support for the principle that the UN Secretary-General must be neutral, independent, and committed to the entirety of the UN Charter – not to double standards 👇
As you know, Kosovo was treated as a case of “the right to self-determination,” while Crimea was judged primarily on the basis of “Ukraine’s territorial integrity.”
❗️ This is a fundamental point. We must be confident that this time, the Secretary-General will truly be different.
I look forward to hearing your presentation.
🔴 #LIVE: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at the talks with official candidate for the position of the United Nations Secretary-General Michelle Bachelet
🔴 Ruptly
🔴 Russia’s MFA website
🔴 #LIVE: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Khalilur Rahman hold a joint news conference following talks in Moscow
🔴 Russia’s MFA website
🇷🇺🇧🇩 #RussiaBangladesh
#KievRegimeCrimes
⚡️ Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rodion Miroshnik:
PHOTO FACTS & EVIDENCE of crimes committed by Ukrainian armed forces over the week of June 1-7, 2026:
▪️ June 1 – a munition was dropped from a drone on the Vinogradovo-Tarasovka road section in the Kherson Region. A civilian was killed.
▪️ June 1 – a UAV strike on a civilian cargo vehicle on the Razumnoye-Novosadny road section in the Belgorod Region. A civilian was wounded.
▪️ June 2 – a UAV strike on a passenger train at the railway station in Dzhankoy, Republic of Crimea.
▪️ June 3 – a UAV strike on the Moscow-Simferopol tourist bus in Yenakiyevo, DPR. Eight civilians were killed and 12 wounded.
▪️ June 3 – a MLRS strike on private residential houses in Laptevka, Belgorod Region. A woman was wounded.
▪️ June 6 – a UAV strike on a private household in Oktyabrsky, Belgorod Region. A 12-year-old girl was wounded.
▪️ June 7 – a UAV strike on a civilian car in Donetsk, DPR.
▪️ June 7 – a UAV strike on the parking area of a commercial facility in Zhdanov, Belgorod Region. A civilian was wounded.
▪️ June 7 – a UAV strike on the parking area of a commercial facility in Prokhorovka, Belgorod Region. A civilian was injured.
▪️ June 7 – a UAV strike on civilian transport in Stakhanov, LPR. Two civilians were wounded.
🇷🇺🇮🇳 On June 7, a detachment of the Russian Pacific Fleet warships comprising of the corvettes «Sovershenny» and «Rezkiy» arrived for an unofficial visit at the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command HQ base in Mumbai.
❗️The Consul General of Russia in Mumbai Mr Ivan Fetisov took part in the welcome ceremony for the arrival of the corvettes.
🤝 Such events are a traditional element of the time-tested cooperation between the Russian and Indian Navies, instrumental in further strengthening mutual trust.
⚡️ During the event, Mr Ivan Fetisov emphasized that the visit demonstrates the steady development of the "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" between the two nations. He noted that military cooperation between Russia and India, amidst current geopolitical tensions, plays a vital role in ensuring global security and stability.
🙏 We extend our sincere gratitude to the Indian side for the excellent organization of the visit and for the professionalism.
#RussiaIndia
#FriendshipDosti
#Navy
“It is a mission of connecting human souls”
"Africans choose Russian because they choose sovereignty, partnership, and a multipolar world.”
🇷🇺🇩🇿 The Russian-Algerian consultations on biological security took place on June 4, 2026, in Algeria.
The Russian delegation was headed by Deputy Director of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Konstantin Vorontsov, the Algerian delegation was led by Director of Political Affairs of the General Directorate of Multilateral Relations of the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nazim Khaldi.
The exchange of assessments concerning threats in the field of biological security in Africa as well as in the world was conducted. The issues of developing bilateral cooperation in the field of biological security and strengthening the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (#BTWC) regime were discussed.
🤝 The meeting confirmed the unity of approaches between Russia and Algeria on the issues of biological security.
The need for further close coordination and constructive interaction both in bilateral format, as well as at relevant multilateral fora, primarily within the framework of the #BTWC and the #UN, was noted.
🎙 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with RT Arabic (St Petersburg, June 4, 2026)
Read in full
❓ Question: Away from the Western hegemony, as you say, who is mainly present here at the Forum?
💬 Sergey Lavrov: Arab countries take an active part in the St Petersburg International Economic Forum every year. I believe that our relations with this Arab “six” – and with the Arab world as a whole within the framework of the League of Arab States – are very close, intensive, constructive and friendly. In general, they are the kind of relations we want to build with all countries.
We cannot ignore what is happening in the Gulf region as a result of the aggression by the US and Israel against Iran. Russia now has 👉 an updated Security Concept for the Gulf region. We have circulated it to our colleagues in the Gulf Cooperation Council and sent the text to Tehran.
We will await their response.
I very much hope that common sense will prevail and that the region will start shaping a framework in which all participants can coexist peacefully, without fear of military risks. This is what we advocate, and we continue to work with our Arab colleagues.
❓ Question: In your opinion, what is preventing this now?
💬 Sergey Lavrov: Israel certainly does not want rapprochement between the Arabs and Iran. The US is taking an ambivalent position: one day it may say that an agreement is about to be reached and the Strait of Hormuz will be opened. The next day, it says that if Iran delays for another two days, they will start bombing again.
If anything could have shifted the mood among Iran’s leadership – and Iranian society as a whole – regarding commitment to the principle of not possessing nuclear weapons, it is precisely this aggression: the actions the US and Israel have carried out, and continue to carry out, for absolutely no reason.
The DPRK – a country that is not party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons – simply concluded that without nuclear weapons it would be wiped off the face of the earth. They made that choice – no one is touching them.
The Americans made an utterly unimaginable move in Venezuela. Under the pretext that President Nicolas Maduro allegedly headed a drug cartel, they abducted him, but immediately announced that they had interests in the oil sector and would, so to speak, take Venezuela’s oil industry under their control.
The same thing began with Iran. It very quickly became clear that the reason was oil. At one point, the Americans proposed that the Strait of Hormuz be controlled “50-50” – by them and Iran. Again, this is all about oil, about global energy markets.
But this is also causing difficulties and heavy losses for Arab countries as well.
Yes, they will now be looking for alternative routes and building new pipelines. Now the Bab el-Mandeb Strait may become another hotspot. So the consequences of this aggression are obvious to everyone.
I very much hope that lessons will be learned.
❓ Question: In your opinion, what are the chances of achieving a peaceful settlement over Ukraine?
💬 Sergey Lavrov: We are always ready for talks, as President of Russia Vladimir Putin has said on numerous occasions, but we do not see readiness on the other side and, most importantly, we do not see partners capable of reaching agreements.
The Europeans are defending Zelensky with such, I would say, furious intensity solely because he is fighting against the Russian Federation. Europe has repeatedly deceived both Russia and the rest of the world on the Ukrainian track, beginning with the coup d’état that took place just one day after France, Germany and Poland guaranteed peace agreements between the then President of Ukraine and the opposition.
It is rather odd that, after Russia accepted the US proposals put forward in Anchorage, Washington began shifting its position. Instead of promoting those same proposals in its dialogue with the Ukrainians, the Americans now appear to be suggesting that the parties should sort things out on their own.
That is hardly consistent.
🎙 Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a media question regarding Armenia’s election campaign (June 6, 2026)
❓ Question: There is controversial information in the media that opposition parties may be banned from participating in the parliamentary elections in Armenia. What would you say about this?
💬 Maria Zakharova: You are correct, there is information that instead of an election campaign based on laws and rules, there is a struggle against democratic procedures. We see attempts by the Armenian authorities to commit a crime against democracy by deciding to withdraw the largest opposition block, Strong Armenia, from the elections, as well as, possibly, the Prosperous Armenia party.
Apparently, the pressure on the opposition in the form of arrests, harassment, seizure of property and persecution of the Armenian Apostolic Church was not enough.
If this anti-democratic scenario is implemented and the decision to ban them from the elections is made, then 👉 Armenian citizens will be deprived of the right to choose the future of their country, which, accordingly, will cast doubt on the legitimacy of the electoral process as a whole.
Please, note that in this case, even such relevant international structures as the OSCE/ODIHR, PACE, etc., will not be able to make away with “concerns” or hush up the blatant violation of not only the norms of law, but the interests of the entire nation.
❗️ We expect that Yerevan will follow democratic procedures not in words but in deeds, which they still keep talking about at every opportunity.
🗓 On June 5, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (#GECF) Dr Philip Mshelbila held a meeting on the sidelines of the 29th St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The Secretary General was conveyed a message from President of Russia Vladimir Putin inviting him to the 8th Meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the GECF, to be held in Moscow on October 27.
The meeting highlighted the GECF’s role in ensuring effective cooperation among natural gas-producing countries and promoting this type of fuel as the energy resource of the 21st century.
The Sides exchanged views on harnessing the Forum’s potential amid the current crisis on global energy markets, against the backdrop of the West’s destructive actions.
They reaffirmed the importance of non-discriminatory cooperation among GECF members and the inadmissibility of external pressure on suppliers and consumers of energy resources.
***
Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks:
I would like to welcome you personally and congratulate you on your election as Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.
It is an honour for me to convey to you an invitation from President of Russia Vladimir Putin to the 8th GECF Summit, which will take place in Moscow on October 27.
I will brief you on the details of the preparations. We hope that this Summit will become another important step towards strengthening the positions of gas-exporting countries and of all those who uphold fairness in the global energy market.
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answer to a media question (St Petersburg, June 5, 2026)
❓Question: Vladimir Zelensky has published an open letter. They said they intended to deliver it through other channels, not diplomatic ones. What channels are they referring to?
💬 Sergey Lavrov: This is nonsense, like President of France Emmanuel Macron saying he would like to meet with President of Russia Vladimir Putin. It was said just to say something and see how it will be accepted.
❓Question: So, nothing was delivered through diplomatic channels?
💬 Sergey Lavrov: No, at least so far.
🗓 On June 5, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with former President of Republika Srpska, Chairman of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Milorad Dodik, on the sidelines of the 29th St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The Sides discussed current issues related to deepening partner-like ties between Moscow and Banja-Luka as a follow-up to a conversation between President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Republika Srpska Siniša Karan, and Milorad Dodik in Moscow on May 9.
Sergey Lavrov and Milorad Dodik exchanged assessments of the current status of the Bosnian political settlement, including the operation of the Office of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
🚤 There is very little time left until the main event of SPIEF — the plenary session — and the promenade is getting crowded.
Every year, this event becomes a meeting place for top government officials, corporate leaders, and key opinion leaders.
Feel the intense business vibe!
🌺 RoscongressDirect
⚡️ Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement on the attack on the Natra and Tsirkon vessels in the Sea of Azov (June 5, 2026)
💬 According to information received from the competent Russian authorities, in the early hours of June 5, the Natra and Tsirkon vessels, sailing from Turkiye to the port of Rostov-on-Don under the flags of Belize and Palau respectively, were attacked in the Sea of Azov.
There are dead and wounded on both vessels, including citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The injured sailors received assistance from a passing Russian vessel and a border unit of Russia’s Federal Security Service.
We express our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those killed and wish the injured a speedy recovery.
The circumstances of the incident are being established. According to available information, the vessels were attacked by Ukrainian drones, which once again confirms the terrorist nature of the Kiev regime, which is increasingly targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
We are in close contact with the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Moscow and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan.
The Russian side will provide all necessary assistance to our partners in obtaining information on the circumstances of the incident and ensuring consular access to Azerbaijani citizens.
⚡️ Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s statement on the election of the UN Security Council non-permanent members for 2027-2028 (June 4, 2026)
💬 On June 3, the UN General Assembly held elections of UN Security Council members for the term 2027-2028.
Kyrgyzstan (of the Asian-Pacific group), Zimbabwe (of the African group), Trinidad and Tobago (of the Latin American and the Caribbean group), as well as Austria and Portugal (of the West European and other states) have been elected to the non-permanent pool.
We want to point out the first ever election of Kyrgyzstan and the success of Zimbabwe. Bishkek’s victory is a significant event, a sign of trust on behalf of the #GlobalMajority and recognition of its high authority in the world arena.
🤝 We wish our Kyrgyz and Zimbabwean friends successful tenure at the UN Security Council.
As for the election of Austria and Portugal, we expect the work of these countries in the Council to be based on an unconditional adherence to the UN Charter principles in their entire completeness and interrelation.
We are earnestly urging them to give top priority not to the logic of block mentality, but to the collective response to the threats to international peace and security, considering new realities of a #MultipolarWorld.
👉 We expect Trinidad and Tobago to stick to a constructive course.
Russia, for its part, is invariably open to an active, close and pragmatic interaction with all Security Council members for an effective and prompt settlement of conflict situations and restoring the central and coordinating role of the UN in the world affairs, in general.
🎙 Opening remarks by Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov during talks with Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Khalilur Rahman (Moscow, June 8, 2026)
💬 Sergey Lavrov: We are pleased to welcome you and your delegation to Moscow immediately after your election as President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
We welcome your intention to make the work of the General Assembly more effective and, more broadly, to help restore the UN’s central coordinating role in world affairs.
You have extensive experience within the World Organisation. For some time, you and I worked there at the same time, carrying out the tasks assigned to us by our governments.
We look forward to meaningful results from the 81st Session of the General Assembly. And, of course, as its future President, you will inevitably focus on the full range of issues in world politics.
The international situation is becoming increasingly tense and complex and, naturally, requires maximum use of the art of diplomacy. For our part, we will do everything possible to support you in these efforts.
Today, we will exchange views on the situation in various regions and on issues on the UN agenda. Naturally, we are also interested in using your visit to further advance our bilateral relations.
🤝 Russia and Bangladesh have a good history of relations. They will soon mark their 55th anniversary – in January 2027. Above all, however, we want to mark this upcoming anniversary with concrete agreements, and today we will discuss what steps can be taken in trade, the economy, culture, defence and military-technical cooperation.
#RussiaBangladesh
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On the night of May 22, 2026, students at a college in Starobelsk, LPR, shouted: ‘Why are they doing this to us? We’re just kids!’
This film chronicles a drone attack during which the Ukrainian Armed Forces killed sleeping students in cold blood. Twenty-one people died and several dozen were injured. These young people had dreamed of becoming teachers and working in schools. Some were even already planning their weddings. But their dreams were buried beneath the rubble.
The film crew visited what remained of the dormitory building, along with the students and teachers who survived. Their aim was to piece together every detail of those horrific events. Among them was Elena Yuryeva, a teacher who saved more than 30 injured students by leading them out of the dorm.
The drone raid launched by the Kiev regime in Starobelsk claimed the lives of innocent teens. Their deaths are a tragedy for their parents, as well as the teachers who had to identify their students’ bodies. The survivors are left with harrowing memories. The terrorist attack has inflicted immense pain on the city and all of Russia.
Watch the new film by Olga Kiriy, Ilya Andilevko, and Alexey Balakirev 'Starobelsk. No Child Should Die'.
#premiere
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🔴 #LIVE: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Khalilur Rahman commence talks in Moscow
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🔴 Russia’s MFA website
🇷🇺🇧🇩 #RussiaBangladesh
#FacesOfVictory
🌟 On June 7, 1887, Sidor Kovpak was born. He was the holder of the Cross of St. George, 3rd and 4th class, two-time Hero of the Soviet Union, a legendary partisan commander and one of the most outstanding leaders of people’s resistance against Nazis in occupied territories during the Great Patriotic War.
During World War I, Kovpak served in the 186th Aslan Duz Infantry Regiment, where he often demonstrated unconventional tactics and his personal courage. He distinguished himself during the Battle of Krasnik and the renowned Brusilov offensive.
From the first days of World War II, Kovpak was actively involved in organising partisan resistance. On July 3, 1941, with his involvement, four resistance squads were created, one of which he commanded personally. He became a true nightmare for Nazi invaders and their henchmen. Under his command, the fighters conducted a series of bold raids behind enemy lines.
🎖 Sidor Kovpak received his first medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union on May 18, 1942, for his successful raids with a partisan group in the Sumy, Kursk, Oryol, and Bryansk regions.
🎖 He was awarded the second star and the title of the Hero on January 4, 1944, for the legendary Carpathian Raid, when in 1943, Kovpak’s unit fought its way over 2,000 km behind Nazi lines in 100 days, killing and wounding almost 5,000 enemy soldiers and officers, derailing 19 echelons, and blowing up oil storage facilities and a railway junction in Ternopol.
Those missions significantly complicated the transfer of the German troops to Kursk and affected the outcome of the Battle of Kursk.
💬 In his post-raid report, Sidor Kovpak summarised the results of the operation as follows:
We fought our way through 10,000 km across 18 regions of Ukraine, Russia and Belorussia, killing 18,000 Nazis, derailing 62 echelons, exploding 256 bridges, destroying 96 warehouses with food supplies, equipment and munitions, as well as two oil facilities, over 50,000 tonnes of oil, over 200 km of telegraph and telephone cables, 50 communication centres, almost 500 vehicles, 20 tanks and armoured vehicles.
#Antifake
The Insider, a foreign-agent publication based in Riga, has published yet another “investigation” – an attempt to whitewash the cynical statement made by Latvia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Sanita Pavļuta-Delyand at the UN Security Council emergency meeting on May 22.
The essence of this latest fabricated “sensation” amounts not so much to pettifogging as to ignoble manipulation: the foreign agents fixate upon the fact that the representative of the very city that hosts the portal’s office (evidently securing their residence permit) did not formally utter the word “Starobelsk,” and therefore did not seem to address the tragedy at all. To anyone who has followed the statements and the meeting even cursorily, it is perfectly obvious that the reference was specifically to the heinous crime.
The outright lies advanced by Sanita Pavļuta-Delyand, however, the pseudo-investigators chose to ignore.
Let's recall what was said:
The UN can verify casualties and violations of international humanitarian law only in territories controlled by Ukraine, because its government provides full and unimpeded access.
Russia denies any access to temporarily occupied territories. Hence, Russia operates only with its own claims, without verification, and without independent media.
Disinformation and lies are well-worn tactics from the Kremlin's playbook, designed to advance Russia's imperialistic aspirations against certain countries.
Latvia will only engage in facts, not allegations.
🎙 Statement by President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the plenary session of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (Saint Petersburg, June 5, 2026)
Key talking points:
• We are witnessing turmoil in the energy markets and tensions being provoked in certain regions, primarily in the Middle East, and how the short-sighted EU bureaucracy policies are being implemented to the accompaniment of aggressive rhetoric and leading to Europe continuing to lose its standing in the global economy, while also undermining regional and global security. In fact, European elites are inciting chaos and are trying to embroil ever more countries into it.
These processes did not arise all by themselves; they are the result of the world undergoing the largest structural transformation in decades. This transformation is not a transition from one phase of a cycle to another. We are witnessing a change in the paradigm of global development.
***
• It has become clear that investment plans and business development steps may face serious risk where the external infrastructure on which they rely could be used against them. Therefore, countries are beginning to develop their own technological solutions, create their own supply routes, and build their own institutions.
Russia is experiencing these transformations firsthand. Although pressure on our country persists, the changing global landscape has also created greater room for manoeuvre. New partnerships are emerging, new financial and technological solutions are being developed, and access to promising markets is expanding. Against this backdrop, Russia views global change not only as a source of challenges but also as a tremendous opportunity. To make the most of these opportunities, we seek to act swiftly and pragmatically.
***
• The world becomes more equitable when economic growth is distributed more broadly and opportunities become available to billions of people who have long remained on the periphery of the global economy. It is very important that these new centres of growth seek to shape their own development paths, increase their share of value creation, and build their own brands, standards, and capabilities.
If you look at the global GDP dynamics of the last five years, you will see that almost half of its annual growth, 49%, is accounted for by #BRICS countries, whereas the contribution of the so-called Group of Seven is estimated at 18%.
***
• Sanctions and, basically, the theft of Russia’s international reserves have had an irreversible effect on the positions of the world currencies, the US dollar and the euro. This is an objective reality that cannot be ignored. Today, every country – let me stress, every country without exception – understands that, like Russia, it could at any moment lose access to assets lawfully held in dollars or euros, as well as to Western financial and payment infrastructure.
We recognise that this ultimately boils down to the issue of unfair competition. The specific pretexts may vary, and they can always be found. In Russia’s case, it was the conflict in Ukraine. In other instances, it may be developments in the Middle East, conflicts in Africa, or even a country’s stance on LGBT-related issues. A justification can always be found. But the underlying problem remains the same: this is unfair competition.
• Importantly, possessing an independent technological base is critical for countries with large populations, vast territories, and distinctive cultures. Such countries cannot act merely as users of foreign-made solutions, because in that case they risk becoming objects of control by external platforms. And how those platforms are used is another matter.
• In essence, major countries – true civilisations – face a historic choice:
👉 either they create their own platform and technological ecosystems,
👉 or they become a digital periphery.
There should be no illusions about this. Foreign services may initially be user friendly, but over time the cost of such dependency will inevitably become apparent.
📄 Full text of the statement
⚡️The Russian Language Day is celebrated at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 8 June 2026.
The program includes:
📌Official opening ceremony;
📌Exhibition by the Russian Higher School of Falk Arts (Academy);
📌Concert by the "Metelitsa" State Orchestra of Russian Folk Instruments.
📽Watch the Russian Language Day 🔴 live broadcast on June 8 at 6:00 PM Paris time.
#RussianLanguageDay #unesco
🗓 June 6 is celebrated in Russia as #RussianLanguageDay.
✍️ #OTD in 1799, 227 years ago, the great poet, prose writer, playwright, historian, publicist, and creator of modern Russian literary language, Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, was born.
***
On June 6, 2011, the President of the Russian Federation signed a decree establishing the annual celebration of Russian Language Day in order to “preserve, support, and promote the Russian language as a national treasure of the peoples of the Russian Federation, a means of international communication, and an integral part of the cultural and spiritual heritage of world civilization.”
***
The history of the Russian language spans more than a thousand years. Throughout that time, it has united tribes and peoples, including in the face of foreign invasions, while shaping the worldview and values of those who lived — and continue to live — on Russian soil.
A key milestone was the emergence of writing in the 9th century. The brothers Cyril and Methodius created the Slavic literary tradition, and the first alphabets were Glagolitic and Cyrillic. Around the same time, Old Church Slavonic began to take shape. Used primarily for religious texts, it had a profound influence on the development of Russian written culture.
Over the centuries, the Russian language evolved continuously and absorbed new vocabulary. However, it was Pushkin who ultimately transformed it into the living, elegant, flexible, and expressive language spoken today. As a poet, thinker, and playwright, he not only reformed his native tongue but also laid the foundations of great Russian literature.
The modern form of the Russian language emerged after the orthographic reform of 1917–1918, which abolished several archaic letters and simplified spelling rules.
❤️ Our “great and mighty” language, like any dynamic and developing language, continues to grow, constantly enriched by new words and expressions as it adapts to the realities of the modern world.
🇷🇺 Today, Russian remains one of the world's leading languages of communication:
• one of the six official languages of the United Nations;
• a working language of international diplomacy, science, and culture;
• the ninth most spoken language in the world (more than 250 million speakers);
• the second most widely used language on the internet by number of websites.
#GreatAndMighty
🎥 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s video address on Russian Language Day (Moscow, June 6, 2026)
💬 Friends,
Congratulations on Russian Language Day, a holiday celebrated worldwide on the birthday of Alexander Pushkin, our great poet and creator of the language of modern Russian literature.
The Russian language is endlessly colourful and expressive. It serves as the foundation of the cultural, spiritual and historical code of our country – a civilisation state.
The language of Alexander Pushkin and Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a vital means of international communication. The “great and mighty” Russian language is one of the most commonly used languages in the world, including in the digital sphere. It is one of the official UN languages and the language of some other multilateral organisations. Speaking Russian means to have a key to the treasury of world art, advanced scientific achievements, and the most extensive economic opportunities.
I especially want to emphasise the unifying role of the Russian language in the efforts to strengthen peace and neighbourliness in Eurasia, shaping a new security architecture in Eurasia, and mutually beneficial cooperation. Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan upheld President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s initiative to establish the International Organisation for the Russian Language.
In March 2026 in Moscow, the first ministerial conference of this organisation marked the beginning of its work. It is important to note that all countries sharing its values can join the International Organisation for the Russian Language.
Some of our unquestionable priorities include the protection and support of those people who consider Russian their mother tongue. We will continue to counter any incidents of language discrimination and Russophobia decisively – wherever they take place. We will certainly fight for restoring the rights of those Russian and Russian-speaking people who have been openly terrorised by the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev. Resolving this matter is among the necessary conditions for a long-term settlement of the Ukrainian conflict.
And, of course, we will continue to do what it takes to help our compatriots abroad as well as our foreign partners when it comes to learning Russian, studying in Russian, fulfilling cultural and educational projects.
Friends,
The year 2026 has numerous commemorative dates associated with the Russian language. We are marking 225 years since the birth of Vladimir Dal, creator of the Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language, the 200th birthday of public figure and unrivalled satirist Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin, and the 90th birthday of prominent linguist and President of St Petersburg State University, founder of the Russian World Foundation Lyudmila Verbitskaya.
This year, the Foreign Ministry and the Russian World Foundation established an award for contribution to global Russian studies, named after Vitaly Kostomarov, outstanding linguist who stood at the origins of Alexander Pushkin State Institute of the Russian Language. This award is for merited teachers of the Russian language and literature from the general, higher and extracurricular education in foreign countries. Furthermore, the award will celebrate significant achievements in translation and research. We expect the first awards ceremony to take place this year in Moscow.
I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to everybody who loves the Russian language, the powerful Russian word, and who contributes to preserving the multifaceted heritage of the Russian world.
Happy Russian Language Day and my best wishes.
🇷🇺🇨🇳 President of Russia Vladimir Putin had a meeting with Vice President of the People’s Republic of China Han Zheng on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
💬 President Putin: Your Excellency Mr Vice President, Comrade Han Zheng, once again, welcome to St Petersburg.
You and I have just taken part in the plenary session of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, which serves as one of the leading platforms for discussing economic matters. However, as we saw during the session, there is no getting away from political issues.
In any case, I would like to thank you for your substantive and insightful presentation, as well as the fact that the People’s Republic of China is represented at the level of Vice President, which is a very high level. This adds a certain global dimension to this forum. You have my gratitude for coming here. Of course, I would like to ask you to convey my best wishes to my friend, President of the PRC Xi Jinping for taking the decision to send you to Russia, to St Petersburg.
As you have just noted during your remarks at the session, the relations between our countries are at their all-time high and have gathered substantial momentum. Our trade and economic ties have been following an upward trajectory in keeping with the Treaty. We are marking its anniversary this year. July 16 will mark 25 years since the signing of the fundamental treaty on friendship and cooperation between Russia and China.
I have mentioned trade and economic cooperation. Trade has been rising steadily. A growth rate of 10 percent is quite a positive result, and we hope to keep this momentum going.
There is a list of joint projects for specific sectors, and we know them. This includes energy, manufacturing, agriculture, transport, logistics, innovation, civilian nuclear programmes, space exploration, and artificial intelligence. Congratulations on your achievements in this very important domain. China has been demonstrating excellent results, I would say.
There is no doubt that holding the years of cooperation in education in 2026 and 2027 is expected to make a meaningful contribution to expanding our humanitarian ties. I am convinced that this would promote direct contacts between our citizens.
Once again, thank you so much for coming to St Petersburg and attending the economic forum here.
#RussiaChina
🗓 On June 5, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a meeting with Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Philip Mshelbila on the sidelines of the 29th St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Secretary General Philip Mshelbila was presented a message from President of Russia Vladimir Putin with an invitation to attend the 8th GECF Summit scheduled for October 27 in Moscow.
The officials emphasised the GECF’s role in ensuring effective interaction between natural gas producing countries and promoting this type of fuel as a 21st-century energy resource. They exchanged views on using the GECF’s potential amid the current crisis on the global energy markets against the background of the West’s ravages.
They also reaffirmed the importance of non-discriminatory cooperation between GECF member countries and unacceptability of external pressures on energy suppliers and consumers.
🔴 #LIVE: Russia's President Vladimir Putin gives remarks & answers questions at the #SPIEF2025 Plenary Session
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🔴 Ruptly
🔴 SPIEF website
Russia's Defence Ministry:
⚡️ On June 5, 185 Russian servicemen were returned from territory controlled by the Kiev regime in exchange for 185 Ukrainian POWs.
The returned Russian servicemen are currently in the Republic of Belarus, where Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova is providing assistance.
After receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance, the Russian servicemen will be transported to the Russian Federation for further treatment and rehabilitation at medical facilities of the Russian Defence Ministry.
🤝 The United Arab Emirates provided humanitarian mediation assistance in securing the return of the Russian servicemen.
🇷🇺🇳🇮 On June 5, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Special Representative of the Co-Presidents of Nicaragua for the Development of Relations with Russia and Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Russian-Nicaraguan Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation Laureano Ortega held a meeting on the sidelines of the 29th St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The meeting was also attended by Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia and Chair of the Russian part of the Intergovernmental Commission Veronika Skvortsova.
The Sides exchanged views on current issues of bilateral cooperation in a traditionally trust-based and friendly atmosphere. They expressed their mutual commitment to strengthening in every way the Russia-Nicaragua strategic partnership.
✍️ Following the meeting, Sergey Lavrov and Laureano Ortega signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Nicaragua on biological security.
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💬 Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks:
The last time we met was in Moscow in 2025, at the signing ceremony for cooperation agreements between the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, the city of Sevastopol and the Republic of Nicaragua. Since then, our relations have continued to develop.
I know that agreements on cooperation between Nicaragua and Sevastopol will be signed – or perhaps have already been signed – as part of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
🤝 We greatly value our truly friendly and fraternal ties, as well as the established tradition between our Leaders: we always support each other and will continue to do so.
Today, we will discuss both the political situation and our bilateral relations, including the work of the Intergovernmental Russian-Nicaraguan Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which you co-chair together with Veronika Skvortsova.
#RussiaNicaragua
📄 Article by Ambassador of Russia to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov and lecturer at the Diponegoro University Aslama Nanda Rizal titled «Commemorating the 125th Anniversary of President Soekarno's Birth: The Legacy of Indonesia-Russia Friendship» published in Rakyat Merdeka (05.06.2026)
Key points:
• On June 6, 2026, we commemorate the 125th anniversary of the birth of the first President of Indonesia Soekarno. The name of Soekarno, the Proclaimer of Indonesia's Independence, is also remembered in history as that of a distinguished statesman who strongly supported and consistently advanced Russia-Indonesia relations. In Russia, he is remembered as a true friend who paid frequent visits to the Soviet Union and promoted practical cooperation between our countries in the political, economic, defence and humanitarian fields.
• The Indonesian people are certainly aware of the substantial support provided by Moscow to Jakarta in the 1950s and 1960s, both during its struggle against colonialism and in the difficult early years following independence. At that time, the Soviet Union provided Indonesia with extensive military and military-technical assistance, including arms and equipment, which helped strengthen the country's defence capabilities and safeguard the sovereignty of the newly established republic.
• The close relationship between Moscow and Jakarta during that period was also underpinned by President Soekarno's personal ties with Soviet leaders. President Soekarno visited the Soviet Union on four occasions - in 1956, 1959, 1961 and 1964. <...> During his visit to Moscow in 1961, President Soekarno awarded the Star of Mahaputera to Yuri Gagarin, the world's first cosmonaut, in recognition of his historic achievement in space exploration. Since then, the name Yuri has become extremely popular in Indonesia.
• Today, Russia and Indonesia continue to strengthen cooperation in politics, trade, energy, education, science, culture and humanitarian affairs. This cooperation is rooted in the principles established during President Soekarno's era: respect for sovereignty, equality, mutual benefit and an independent approach to international affairs.
• We are confident that the Russia-Indonesia Strategic Partnership will continue to develop and acquire increasingly substantive practical content for the benefit of the peoples of both countries.
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